Italian music icon receives standing ovation at Teatro Ariston

“Here is the history of Italian music,” said Carlo Conti, introducing Giulio Rapetti Mogol on the stage of the Teatro Ariston, where he was celebrated with a lifetime achievement award just months before his 90th birthday on August 17.

The entire Ariston theatre rose to its feet in a standing ovation, CE Report quotes ANSA.

“Such a welcome moved me,” said Mogol, recalling that he has “registered 1,776 songs with SIAE and sold 523 million records worldwide, even if no one believes it.”

Images of countless hits that have entered Italy’s collective memory played in the background, from Un’avventura to La spada nel cuore, from La prima cosa bella to L’emozione non ha voce.

Conti presented him with an award marking his first song registered on February 2, 1960, Precipito!, along with a plaque dedicated to Italian cuisine as a UNESCO World Heritage, and finally the lifetime achievement award “with a gigantic, enormous thank you,” said the artistic director.

At the end, Conti asked the songwriter which of his songs he loved most. Mogol chose Dormi amore, written with Gianni Bella and performed by Adriano Celentano in 2007.

“I dedicated it to my wife, who is many years younger than me. I speak about what her life will be and what mine will be when it is no longer my life — but our love will survive,” Mogol said.